The fascinating history of a ‘proud mongrel’…

I’ve always liked this mysterious painting by L.S. Lowry…

During these few weeks, when a combination of poorly children, a weekend wedding, and the pressures of work mean I’m unable to get up to the boat, I’m staying in touch with Eileen by trying to write up a more detailed history of her for a proposed article in the Historic Narrow Boat Club magazine.

In confirming some of the details already known, new leads have come to light and I’ve written to a number of people asking if they’d be willing to share their memories of the boat.

I’m particularly interested in the period from the 1950’s (when Eileen/18686 was sold from the Stewart & Lloyd’s fleet) to the 1970’s (when she was owned by Mick & Judy Vedmore and joined the Union Canal Carriers Ltd. fleet as a camping/holiday boat).